Joe Murray Studio

Joe Murray paints, draws, animates, writes and designs for print, television and film. His television, film and illustration projects are award winning. He also teaches and consults.

The studio is perhaps best known for the creation, development and production of Nickelodeons animated series Rocko's Modern Life,
and Cartoon Network's Camp Lazlo, as well as several character properties for advertising and marketing, children's books, editorial work and festival films.

Helping Each Other

Some may criticize the blog world, but where else can I spill my guts ( not unlike Gutzy) about the trials of an independent life, and find such a great outpouring of support and advice. I’m grateful for those who wrote back both on this block and my in box.

Many have told me that my blog helps them. Well….we all help each other. You have shown me that I need to be reminded of the diligence that is needed in a creative life ( a subject I have talked about often) . That’s why us artists and writers stick together.

When I think I have run out of resourcefulness, you show me more paths. I’m glad that Frog in a Suit has stayed out of the hands of the media giants. Fantastic.

Somewhat on the same note, I read an article this week in Time magazine about You tube, and the internet audience. They allude to the fact that it’s viewed more as an outlet for those alternative sources of creativity, and that “mainstream” or at least those who have had exposure more on traditional television, are not so welcome with original content. I’m not talking about clips that appear on You tube from shows, I’m talking about a known content creator doing his own thing has not met with the same numbers as “Unicorn farting rainbows.” Are the internet audience more connected with that content?

My thoughts are when TV channels blend with the internet, ( as they are starting to do now) we will still see a separation of the mainstream and mavericks?

9 Responses to January 23, 2012

TV will not blend with the Internet as many believe. The Internet is good only because it has a good distribution system in place. TV creates all the content that internet users pirate and steal.

Think of it this way: the internet needs TV more than TV needs the internet.

So the creators will be separated from the mavericks.

Ipso facto, yes Google is dishing out piles of money for Youtube hits and justifying it as ad-sales. But ad impressions only work if it works. There will come a day when people will wax nostalgic about the good old days when Google actually paid random people to upload videos that appealed to humor of the lowest common denominator.

TV and the Internet will probably reach symbiosis but don’t count on it happening anytime soon. Maybe in 50 years.

While we’ll talk more later, it seems that the one thing that internet responds to the most, whether it’s ebooks, blogs, webcomics, or youtube hits, is commitment.

When creators produce a piece of entertainment for the internet, the key to success seems to always be a direct, unilateral commitment to the production and promotion of that entertainment. Webcomics have been clearest sign of this in action – creators not only commit to updating on a distinct schedule, but they often work to promote their wares at conventions and festivals and various talks through-out the nation.

The internet responds, surprisingly strongly, to creators who open up, who showcases the process and the wares, who speak and communicates with the fanbase. (It’s essentially why MLP has such a strong cult following, but other places do too: Penny Arcade, XKCD, Mondo Media’s content, Marble Hornets, TED talks, and so on.)

“Dumb” content gets hits because it is dumb, and disposable. It’s candy – temporarily satisfying, but ultimately unfulfillable. If you want people to eat full meals, they need to see a reason to do so. If a creator doesn’t commit to a project, hand and foot, then there’s no reason for the audience to. And that, I think, is the main difference between the TV audience and the Internet audience. The former is systematically built on marketing models and advertising gimmicks, a top-down method of attracting attention; the latter is about socializing, communicating, and discussion with the audience, forging and strengthening those relationships.

I agree with you Kevin. But the trick is to be able to sustain a period of consistency where little or no money is coming in to support the production. It does take a commitment . Harder to do when you have a family to support, but do-able.

Its not that they’re more connected with that kind of content, its simply a title that arouses interest more. People wouldn’t watch a show about that unicorn, but when its only a minute and a half people think “huh I wonder what the hell that is”. look up TedCrusty on youtube. Its a channel that has had some videos get 20 million views only because it has titles like “man gets eaten alive by snake horrific accident”. And in reality they’re tongue in cheek videos that probably took about 10 minutes to set up and then a following 15 seconds to film. So don’t be to perplexed when those type of videos like unicorns farting rainbows get that many hits. People don’t sit around wondering what that looks like but if they see a link theyd be inclined to hit because it sparks interest (kind of like a freakshow thing). Im not implying you shood make racier titles, just that you shouldn’t compare your videos to ones like that. Also I hope you don’t think this is overstepping boundaries and I don’t mean any disrespect but I’m just being honest-the thing with the little girl before the videos might lose some people who click on it who arent familiar with FIAS. It sort of looks like a pbs kids type thing and some people will think that theyve mistakenly clicked on a childrens video and then they wont watch it or look at other ones. And as that Time magazine article stated, more then 60 hours of footage is uploaded every minute so theres a lot else to look at. People are quick to change the channel, but even quicker to go to another internet link. Again I’m sorry the videos are very clever and more for an older audience but that opening thing is misleading I hope I haven’t offended you.

I think any content is welcome on Youtube, it can be a bit random whether it takes off virally,and if something has low or high amount of views it isn’t necessarily an indiciation of how good or bad something is.I think tv might get a bit smaller, I dont know any people who watch tv anymore except for my parents.

Dear Mr. Murray,
I really enjoy reading your blog, It combines three of my favorite topics (art, humor, and animation) neatly into one. Being an artist myself, I always find your posts interesting and inspiring. In a world where many seem to be satisfied living within the boundaries of safe and boring, It’s refreshing to see someone like you. You are someone who isn’t afraid to be different, isn’t afraid to take risks and most importantly you are someone who isn’t afraid to stand up for what you believe in!
I believe Kaboing tv was and still is a very good idea and I truly hope you will be able to make a success out of it. I think Frog in a Suit is wonderful as well, it’s amazing what you were able to accomplish on such a small budget. As for people criticizing Kaboing tv and F.I.A.S., consider this, there are plenty of films out there that have multi-million dollar budgets, talented actors, and amazing crews, but lack the most essential things; honesty, originality, and imagination. These are the qualities that truly make a work of art and these are the qualities that you put into everything you do. I applaud you for that and encourage you to continue doing that. Don’t let negative people get you down. They are simply people who are afraid to dream, and who will try to discourage your dreams.
I believe in you along with many others, and I hope i’ve been able to inspire you. You’ve certainly been a huge inspiration to me. May God bless you with a long and fulfilling life.